Startup ecosystem Stories

Australian Stories

Startup ecosystem stories

NSW AI Bonanza to launch Sydney festival and awards

Sydney businesses, startups and investors will gather next month as the event adds awards and workshops to spotlight AI uses and risks.

By Mara Sugue • 4 min read • Yesterday

Robotics

Melbourne expo showcases AI robots & startup ideas

Public interest in Victoria's AI scene was on show as more than 400 visitors packed Melbourne Connect for rare robot demos and startup pitches.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • 4 days ago

Fintech

Zeller wins Fast Company award for payment terminal

The accolade underlines Zeller's push beyond payments hardware, with the terminal now used by more than 110,000 businesses worldwide.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • Last week

Software-as-a-Service

David Raynor launches Funding Atlas for global funding

Startups and small businesses could save hours of searching, with a new database covering 27,000 funding options in 196 countries.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • Last week

Global Stories

Startup ecosystem stories

Software-as-a-Service

Stripe agrees to buy Parafin in embedded credit push

The acquisition broadens Stripe's financial services offering as demand for platform-based lending grows and small firms struggle to secure bank credit.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Gaming

Fearn launches AI patent firm for startups after USD $5.5m

Startups could file patent applications in days after Fearn raised USD $5.5 million to offer fixed-fee AI prosecution services.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Last week

Digital Transformation

Bir launches digital push for Azerbaijan micro-firms

Micro-entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan will get training and fee breaks as Bir tries to draw them into digital banking and online sales.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week

Artificial Intelligence

Ewor expands San Francisco team after US demand surges

US founders are driving a 237% surge in EWOR applications, prompting the fellowship to build a deeper presence in San Francisco.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Last week

Software-as-a-Service

MYOB appoints Deepesh Banerji as Chief Product Officer

The hire signals MYOB's push to simplify bookkeeping and add AI tools for small businesses and accountants across Australia and New Zealand.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week

Digital Transformation

AI fuels M&A deals across Australia & Southeast Asia

AI is fuelling dealmaking across Australia and Southeast Asia, with buyers chasing proprietary tech, scalable models and data centre capacity.

By Ben Constance • 3 min read • Last week

Stories from Other Regions

Startup ecosystem stories

Data Protection

QNu Labs launches QShield 2.0 for quantum-safe crypto

India's critical sectors are being urged to start post-quantum cryptography rollouts by 2027 as many firms still lack a full picture of their encryption use.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Yesterday

Human Capital Management

QueerTech finds 2SLGBTQI+ tech workers face harassment at 2X rate

Queer workers in Canada's tech sector are facing harassment and discrimination at twice the rate of non-queer peers, a new study finds.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • 3 days ago

Software-as-a-Service

Numeral raises USD $100 million to tackle sales tax

As states tighten rules on digital goods, the San Francisco startup will use the capital to expand into new industries and add staff.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • 5 days ago

Semiconductors

Pick 'n' mix needed for Canada AI infrastructure: NRTH panel

Canada should focus on the AI infrastructure pieces that matter most, executives say, rather than insisting every link in the supply chain be domestic.

By Jake MacAndrew • 4 min read • Last week

Gaming

Auckland to host game developers conference after boom

The sector's NZD $1 billion revenue milestone gives the city a stronger case for attracting talent, investors and digital exports.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Last week

Software-as-a-Service

Confido raises USD $55 million in Insight-led Series B

The funding lifts the New York-based company's total to USD $77 million as it expands into food service and hires across key roles.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week

Software-as-a-Service

TD's Layer 6 invests CAD $25 million in Cohere AI tie-up

The bank's AI push aims to improve staff productivity and client service as it tests secure tools with Cohere and its Layer 6 unit.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Last week

Supply Chain

Corpora.ai backs Convert Technologies in UK defence

Access to research tools and fresh funding will help Convert Technologies expand tracking systems for defence customers operating beyond GPS coverage.

By Raphael Veloso • 3 min read • Last week